Green Bay offense may resurrect ex-Bear's career

Published 4:00 am, Wednesday, September 2, 1998

MILWAUKEE - There is a new chapter in quarterback Rick Mirer's life, and it will begin in Green Bay this week.

Mirer, the former Chicago Bears and Seattle Seahawks quarterback, agreed to terms on a contract with the Packers Tuesday evening and is expected to begin workouts with his new team Wednesday.

Terms of the contract were not released, but Mirer accepted a multiyear deal that will allow him ample time to work with the Packers' coaches on resurrecting his career. Mirer will play for a salary well below the $2.3 million he was scheduled to make before being waived Sunday by the Bears because he refused to take a pay cut.

Mirer, 28, was also being courted by the Raiders and the Denver Broncos, but reportedly chose the Packers because he thought it was the best environment in which to regain the form that made him the second pick overall in the 1993 draft.

While in Green Bay, Mirer will be schooled in a system the Packers think best fits his talents. During his five years as a professional, he has never played in the West Coast offense.

"I think he's coming and learning a great system," quarterbacks coach Andy Reid said. "Not that the other ones weren't. But it's a system we felt when he was coming out (of college) that he would fit well."

Mirer, who lasted just one year with the Bears after being traded from Seattle, will fill the No. 3 quarterback position behind Brett Favre and Doug Pederson.

Around the camps&lt;

*Oilers: Tennessee shuffled its linebacking corps, trading Lemanski Hall to the Chicago Bears for an undisclosed draft pick and signing former Oiler Eddie Robinson. The Oilers also signed five-year veteran Jason Matthews, who can play both offensive tackle positions.

*Cowboys: Wide receiver Stepfret Williams, Dallas' go-to guy on third down last season, was released. "He dropped more balls than I thought he would," said coach Chan Gailey.&lt;